Chikwanda launches the NATSAVE Kazungula Branch

FINANCE Minister Alexander Chikwanda has launched a K4 million newly constructed National Savings and Credit Bank (NATSAVE) Branch and staff houses in Kazungula District with a call for the business community to take advantage of the financial institution to access funds and create jobs for the locals.

In the few days NATSAVE Kazungula Branch has been operational, a total of K211, 000 has already been mobilised as deposits through the opening of 200 accounts while K70, 000 has been given out as loans.

Mr Chikwanda said he was certain that Kazungula Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) would take advantage of the presence of NATSAVE in Kazungula District to access funds and grow their businesses so that they were able to create jobs through the employment of local people.

He said it was also gratifying to learn that the bank had moved into the district with a microfinance programme targeted at micro entrepreneurs with a focus of boosting and empowering businesses which mainly cover trading, fishing and farming.

Mr Chikwanda was peaking during the official launch of NATSAVE Kazungula Branch yesterday.

“Kazungula is a very unique district both economically and socially, as it borders three countries namely Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

“The centrality of Kazungula among all these countries brings forth various economic opportunities for the district. Therefore, NATSAVE’s opening of the first full-fledged bank in this area is a timely business decision carrying the first mover advantage which will benefit the bank and the people of Kazungula,” Mr Chikwanda said.

Mr Chikwanda said the Government had recognised the economic potential of Kazungula and that was why many developmental projects were currently under construction.

Some of the developmental projects under construction are Kazungula Bridge, District Hospital, 30 housing units, police station, office block for the council, District Commissioner’s office and Post Office.

Mr Chikwanda said the Patriotic Front (PF) was asking for another mandate and overwhelming support for President Edgar Lungu to be at the helm of the nation because the man was epitome of human fellowship.

“President Lungu is not a magician or he will not promise or offer you miracles beyond continuing with PF development agenda which has ushered in transformation,” he said.

He said Zambia was a heaven of peace and unity and hence Zambians should jealously guard such attribute by keeping fanatics at bay.

“Let us allow free flow of ideas. Let us not allow the drama implicit in electoral politics to endanger cleavages that weakens the fabric of our wonderful country.
“Let us categorically refuse to embrace a culture of intolerance as not all of us can be councillor, Member of Parliament or President,” he said.

Ms Mphosha said the central bank was delighted to note that NATSAVE had continued to extend its footprint across the country.

“The challenge to NATSAVE is to follow up the opening of this Branch with development of products and services that meet both the general and peculiar needs and requirements of Kazungula economy.

“On our part as BOZ, we will continue to support market development by providing an enabling environment for growth in the financial sector as a whole,” Ms Mposha said.

NATSAVE managing director Cephas Chabu said his bank had been well received in the area to provide affordable, appropriate and competitive financial products to boost the domestic economy of kazungula.

NATSAVE Board Vice chairperson Fred Siame said the opening of Kazungula Branch fulfilled the mandate that the Government had given the Bank to promote financial inclusion by taking banking services to all parts of the country especially in rural areas.

3 COMMENTS

Well done PF and NATSAVE for coming to people of Kazungula’s aid. Please, increase the amount of loans from ZMW 70,000.00 to reasonable amount for people to also build decent houses and business buildings because this town is on the border and gives an image of the entire country but not Kazungula alone.